So after two weeks of limping...

[amyk]

Eloise is finally starting to seem a little better. She still has a limp, but she was at the point where she was just hopping on 3 legs and crying out anytime she moved the wrong way. At least now she is putting some weight on her back leg. It's been so hard to see her hurting like this.

She's going to the vet tonight for her regular annual appointment, so I'm going to talk to them about starting accupuncture treatments, see if that helps. And she has her regular chiropractic holistic appointment on Friday. I feel like I have gone to the vet more since May for her than I've gone to the doctor for myself in the last 10 years!! lol

In the past 2 weeks I've started to think about the possibility of hip replacement surgery. I'm going to try the accupuncture for a few months and see how she does with that. I would love to be one of those success stories that she can get through her life without needing the sugery, but if this kind of limping continues, where she can't run, and can't play, I just feel like that's so sad for her.

I don't know what I'm going to do, I just pray that she continues to improve now. I miss the days when she was so happy go lucky and would jump around and play and run.

 

[M & M's Mom Linda]

Oh Amy...I'm so sorry Eloise is in pain. It must break your heart to see her limping. Let us know how you made out at the vet. Hugs to your sweet girl.

 

[2Paws]

I'm so sorry you and Eloise are going through this. It is most heartbreaking to see them in pain. Just keep up with the treatments, try to remain postive. Sending lots of prayers and postive energy you way.

to both of you.

 

[Erika]

hope your Luv is better soon and can run and play again....hang in there.smooches Eloise

 

[Pregreen]

Hi Amy & Eloise,
How old is Eloise? I know a total hip replacement is most likely in my dogs future so I've done extensive research on the subject and went to U of Penn for a consultation. If you are seriously considering a total hip I would recommend you do it sooner than later so that Eloise would get the maximum benefit out of her new pain free hip

I know the recovery period can be rough but the end result can be down right amazing. I hope Eloise feels better soon!

 

[Pam G]

Awwwww...Amy, it breaks my heart to hear that she was in such pain. I know her exrays showed HD..but are you sure that this recent limping episode isn't a torn cruciate? Has the vet examined her for that? Sometimes they will hold their leg up and not put weight on it when it is torn.
My good friend's newf had a Total Hip replacement several years ago. He was a different dog after the surgery. Running around etc. It was a long recovery and she had to be very careful about him slipping etc..but the results were fantastic. She took her guy to Cornell..to Dr. Hart who came highly recommended. She was told that he was doing approx 1 THP a week at Cornell..so had alot of experience..which not all veterinary surgeons have with THP. He's no longer at Cornell..but Upstate NY . Here is the website where he is now . In case you ever want to go to him for a consultation. http://www.kbvetcenter.com/doctor.asp?doctor_id=14

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I am glad Eloise is feeling a little better but sorry she may have to face surgery. I am sure you have looked at many alternatives and don't be afraid to get other opinions before going into surgery. Sending good thoughts to Eloise.

 

[amyk]

Thanks everyone! I am taking her to the vet tonight, so I'll mention that they check her knee also. She's definitely better than she was, I don't know if she did tear her cruciate would she get better? But I'll definitely mention it.

This is not that different than the last 2 times she's had limping episodes, it just seems to be taking progressively longer to recuperate each time.

I had been giving her aspirin but she is back on Deramaxx now. I know that medicine can cause other issues, but it's really been a Godsend for her.

Anyway, thanks again, I hope she continues to improve. Pam, thanks for the info about the vet in Bedford, I think that's only a couple hours from me. I know my vet offers the surgery in their practice, but I didn't ask how often they do them. I do know someone else that had it done for a bulldog at my vets office and is very happy with the results.

Pregreen, she's almost 4. But I don't want to rush into surgery, I know there can be alot of problems also with infection that could pop up and I want to be sure she needs it and there isn't any other way to manage her pain.

[ 08-21-2007, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: amyk ]

 

[Pam G]

I agree with not rushing into surgery. I would do it as a last resort.
Did you see the post that shows the different limping patterns between HD and Cruciate. I just posted it this afternoon.
Let us know how you make out at the vet tonight

 

[Pregreen]

Hi Amy,
Sorry I didn't mean to imply that you should rush into surgery, and I truly hope Eloise and all of the Newfies with hip issues can live a great life with conservative management. I would have the surgery done if conservative treatment just wasn't cutting it anymore. Total hip replacement at Penn is $5000 with no complications, but the price can skyrocket if anything should go wrong. If I go on another couple of years paying for Rimadyl, hydro therapy etc...I will surpass the price of a new hip without solving the problem. I guess my point is if a trusted Dr. tells you that a new hip will be needed in the future I would just bite the bullet and do it now. Good luck to you and kisses to Eloise.

 

[amyk]

We're back from the vets, it wasn't her knee thankfully!! The vet said that other than her hips she looks great. You'd never know it hurt at all the way she wiggles her way with joy around the office saying hello to everyone! lol She's lost 4 more pounds so that's a good thing. I'll check out that video Pam, I have been so swamped today with work and then rushing over to the vets afterward.

Pregreen, no worries, I do understand what you're saying.

I'm going to give accupuncture a try now and see how that goes. It does all cost a lot, but thankfully I have no human kids, so I get to spend all the money on her! lol

 

[levy84]

Hi,

Hopefully accupuncture will help Eloise. We've been doing accupuncture for Chance since June. We started with dry needles and for the last 4 treatments have switched to wet ones (that's vitamin B-12 and Adequan injected in small amounts in the accupunture sites). He's also on tramadol and Metacam. He has spondlylosis in his spine and neck. So far this combination has been really helping him. Good luck!

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

Amy -

Sorry Eloise is having so much trouble. There is a very good Orthopedist that many newf people use including several of the very well known breeders in the area. I think is he somewhat in your area. I know several that have travel seceral hours to see him.

Dr. Gregory Zolton - Round Valley Veterinary Group, 1170 Us Highway 22, Lebanon, NJ 08833
(908) 236-2171

 

[amyk]

Thanks Joan, that's not too far from me. Do you know anyone who has done a total hip replacement with him? Does he do surgery also? I'm not planning to do that yet, but it would be good to get some input from people.

Thanks Lori for the info about the accupuncture treatments, I'm going to ask about adequan injections too, I haven't tried that.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

Amy -
I don't know off hand anyone that has had THR but
I know alot of people including mybreeder have used him. I would consider driving down there if I needed to, with any of my dogs.

 

[ArrowNewf]

How about trying the Gold Bead therapy? My friend with 2 very dysplastic Newfs did that before opting for surgery and ended up never doing surgery on either one of the dogs. One lived to 12 and the other is still going strong at 11.

 

[Angela]

I had 2 dysplastic males who had the Gold Beads inserted and did extremely well, one going on to get a Can UD!

 

[amyk]

I have heard about these gold beads. So I guess if the accupuncture works, the gold beads would be inserted as a sort of permanent accupuncture?

 

[ozzysma]

so sorry eloise is hurting!! i have no advice but sending big hugs her way!!

 

[ArrowNewf]

I think the gold beads work longer and have more lasting effects than the acupuncture.